RNaseZap® Products

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is an especially sensitive and difficult molecule to work with because it is readily degraded. To help ensure success, steps must be taken to minimize nuclease contamination in RNA purification laboratories. Even trace quantities of RNase can lead to lower yields from in vitro transcription reactions, degradation during RNA purification protocols, and variable results with qRT-PCR.

Life Technologies offers several Ambion® products in the RNaseZAP® family—RNaseZap® Solution, RNaseZap® Wipes, and ElectroZap™ Solution—that collectively provide a comprehensive approach to help ensure that work surfaces, pipettors, and equipment are RNase-free.

Figure 1. Comparison of Available Cleaning Products for the Removal of RNase Contamination. Mouse liver total RNA (2 µg) was added to microcentrifuge tubes precontaminated with RNase A and then cleaned with different commercially available RNase decontamination products: "a", "b", or RNaseZap® solution. The tubes were then rinsed twice with water prior to the addition of the RNA in 20 µL of TE. The samples were incubated at 37°C for 30 min. Ten microliters of each sample was resolved on a 1.5% agarose gel (TAE) and visualized on a UV light box.

Figure 2. Removal of Dried-on RNase Contamination. A 5 µg sample of RNase A was vacuum-dried onto the bottom of two microfuge tubes. One tube was then rinsed with water, and one tube was rinsed with RNaseZap® solution. Two micrograms of total RNA was added to each of the microcentrifuge tubes, incubated at 37°C for 30 min, and assessed on a 1.5% agarose gel.